Protecting the environment and improving biodiversity

Our core motivation is leaving the world a better place than we found it and if we to stand any chance of doing that we have to fight. We cannot sit back and expect others to make the changes we need to see. That's why we put the environment and biodiversity first.

We are fighting biodiversity loss, working with planners, ecologists and developers to find creative and effective solutions to minimise the impact on local wildlife wherever we can, including bee bricks and swift boxes in new buildings, promoting tree-planting and protecting hedgerows and other natural habitats.

We would like the new Somerset Council to secure a brand new woodland near Cheddar, to form part of the Queen’s Green Canopy for the Platinum Jubilee Year, as well as promote habitat restoration - not just trees, but grasslands too.

We want to tackle pollution, littering and fly-tipping, which is not only an environmental hazard, but an eyesore.

During their time in office, Somerset Conservatives have worked hard to encourage recycling and as a result, Somerset is the top performing County Council in the country for recycling rates. The Recycle More scheme has dramatically increased the amount of kerbside recycling collected - 99% of which stays in Britain. More can be done and Graham and Jeff want to see recycling schemes expanded still further, as well as finding a new, more efficient local location for the Cheddar Recycling Centre.

And in order to meet the county's Net Zero ambitions, we want developers to include renewable energy solutions in all new homes, while encouraging better insulation in existing ones - as well as deliver more electric car charging points.

Heavy traffic isn't just an inconvenience - it's bad for the environment, so we have a clear plan to tackle congestion, as well as improving and extending walking and cycling routes.

Read about our plans to tackle congestion in the Cheddar Valley

Both Somerset County Council and Sedgemoor District Council have delivered environmentally-friendly and animal-friendly policies and Graham and Jeff want the new Somerset Council to develop bold, ambitious plans for more.

It seems to be a fad for every political party to talk the talk, but in Graham Godwin-Pearson and Jeff Savage in May will you have a team committed to improving the environment, tackling climate change and pollution and improving biodiversity.

News

Tree and hedge removal on Houlgate Way

Graham Godwin-Pearson has written to the Somerset councillors for Axbridge and Axbridge Town Council to ask for clarity about tree and hedge removal on Houlgate Way, following concerns about work that has apparently started already. Graham says, "As part of the Houlgate Way planning process, I camp

Graham Godwin-Pearson: Houlgate Way reserved matters

Cllr Graham Godwin-Pearson joined Axbridge town clerk Vicky Brice and Elizabeth Parker from Compton Bishop Parish Council, amongst others, this morning to ask for amendments to the Houlgate Way development in Axbridge. The reserved matters were being discussed by at the last ever meeting of Sedgemo

Houlgate Way - comment by Cllr Graham Godwin-Pearson

Axbridge Town Council and many residents have had a chance to comment on the proposed 53 new homes to be built on the field adjacent to Houlgate Way in the town. Cllr Graham Godwin-Pearson's comment on the application is as follows:- Whilst I fully appreciate the need for new housing, I object to

Emotions running high at Houlgate Way public meeting

Last night, dozens of concerned residents gathered in Axbridge Town Hall for a public meeting to discuss the forthcoming development on Houlgate Way - known currently as Lavender Rise. Sadly, developers Bellway Homes decided not to attend. Points raised by residents included:- - The design and ap

Houlgate Way Axbridge - hedgerow removed

It is disappointing to learn that contractors of Bellway Homes have already removed a hedgerow in the field adjacent to Houlgate Way where Lavender Rise is due to be built. Sedgemoor District Council has declared a biodiversity and removing hedgerows without first having planted new ones and allowi

District councils agree joint ecological vision

Sedgemoor District Council, alongside Somerset West and Taunton Council, have agreed to adopt a strategy to reverse the deterioration of ecosystems across each Local Authority area. The joint proposals have been incorporated into an Ecological Emergency Vision and Action Plan (EEVAP), which set out

Cheddar Valley - Polls open in just one week

Voters in Somerset will be heading for the polls in just a week’s time – and will be able to cast their vote for two candidates in the County Council election on 5 May. This year’s election is different as 110 councillors will be elected – two in each of the 55 divisions – as Somerset prepares for

Issues on the doorstep east of the river in Cheddar

Cheddar Valley candidates Jeff Savage (left) and Graham Godwin-Pearson have been meeting residents in and around Redcliffe Street, St Andrews Road and Penn Road today to talk about what the new Somerset Council means for people in Cheddar. Concerns about anti-social behaviour were raised, while pra

Campaigning in Cheddar and Rowberrow

Cllr Graham Godwin-Pearson and Jeff Savage have been meeting residents in Cheddar and Rowberrow again today, as well as on Cuck Hill in Shipham. Issues on the doorstep included transport, planning and protecting the environment. You can read the details of Graham and Jeff's plans below.

Cheddar Annual Parish Meeting

Graham Godwin-Pearson and Jeff Savage attended the annual Cheddar Parish Meeting at the marvellous new Cheddar Community Pavilion last night, where Somerset Wildlife Trust and Wild Cheddar gave a presentation. Graham says, "It's fantastic to see people in Cheddar considering biodiversity in their g